Collapsible dome frame

Abstract

A collapsible dome-shaped frame for a tent or similar structure includes a polygonal top ring formed of alternating fixed and pivotal sections, with a foldable, arcuate leg or pole connected to each pivotal section. In the collapsed condition of the frame, the poles extend downwardly, substantially at a right angle to the plane of the top ring forming a barrel-shaped cage for carrying a tent and groundsheet. In order to open the frame, the poles and each pivotal section are rotated relative to the fixed sections of the top ring, so that the poles extend outwardly from the top ring in the same plane as such ring, and the pivotal sections are locked in the open position. The poles, which are formed of arcuate segments interconnected by self-locking hinges, are unfolded to the open position, in which they define the dome-shaped frame with the top ring.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A collapsible dome-shaped frame for a tent or similar structure comprising a top ring having a plurality of pairs of sections, each pair of sections including a fixed section and a pivotal section rotatable relative to the fixed section; said top ring including shaft means extending between adjacent fixed sections to permit rotation of the pivotal sections intermediate said adjacent fixed sections, said pivotal sections being longitudinally movable on said shaft means between a first position where said pivotal sections are locked open, and a second position where the pivotal sections can be rotated relative to the fixed sections; and further including locking means on one end of each pivotal section and an adjacent end of a fixed section for locking the pivotal section in the open position; a pole fixedly connected to each pivotal section of the ring; the poles defining a dome-shaped frame with the ring when in the open position, each pole including a plurality of segments in end-to-end relationship; and hinge means between each adjacent pair of segments of each pole permitting movement of the segments between a folded position in which the poles define a generally barrel-shaped cage and the open position in which the outer surfaces of said top ring and hinge means are substantially continuous with the outer surface of said pole segments, whereby the frame is smooth and substantially free of projections. 
     
     
       2. A frame according to claim 1 wherein said top ring includes a rod extending between two diametrically opposed fixed sections, said rod being a handle for the frame in the folded position of the frame and a support for an inner shell when the frame is in the erect position. 
     
     
       3. A frame according to claim 1, including a spacer bar extending between each adjacent pole when the frame is in the erect position for maintaining the poles in proper spaced apart relationship to each other. 
     
     
       4. A frame according to claim 3, wherein said spacer bar is collapsible. 
     
     
       5. A frame according to claim 3, wherein said spacer bar includes a ring on each end thereof for receiving the bottom end of one of said poles. 
     
     
       6. A frame according to claim 5, wherein said ring is bifurcated including upper and lower arms, each having an opening for receiving the bottom end of a pole, and a locking projection on one of said arms for engaging a similar ring on an adjacent spacer bar for preventing movement of the spacer bar and consequently movement of the pole beyond a predetermined open position. 
     
     
       7. A frame according to claim 3, 4 or 5, including hook means releasable mounted in the bottom end of each said pole for connecting an outer tent shell to the frame. 
     
     
       8. A collapsible dome-shaped frame for a tent or similar structure comprising a top ring having a plurality of pairs of sections, each pair of sections including a fixed section and a pivotal section rotatable relative to the fixed section; a pole fixedly connected to each pivotal section of the ring, the poles defining a dome-shaped frame with the ring when in the open position, each pole including a plurality of segments in end-to-end relationship; hinge means between each adjacent pair of segments of each pole permitting movement of the segments between a folded position in which the poles define a generally barrel-shaped cage and the open position in which the outer surfaces of said top ring and hinge means are substantially continuous with the outer surface of said pole segments, whereby the frame is smooth and substantially free of projections; a spacer bar extending between each adjacent pole when the frame is in the erect position for maintaining the poles in a proper spaced apart relationship to each other, each said spacer bar having a locating ring on each side thereof for receiving the bottom end of one of said poles, said locating ring being bifurcated and including upper and lower arms, each having an opening for receiving the bottom end of a pole, and a locking projection on one of said arms for engaging a similar locating ring on an adjacent spacer bar for preventing movement of the spacer bar and consequently movement of the pole beyond a predetermined open position. 
     
     
       9. A collapsible dome-shaped frame for a tent or similar structure comprising a top ring having a plurality of pairs of sections, each pair of sections including a fixed section and a pivotal section rotatable relative to the fixed section; said top ring including a rod extending between two diametrically opposed fixed sections, said rod being a handle for the frame in the folded position of the frame and a support for an inner shell when the frame is in the erect position; a pole fixedly connected to each pivotal section of the ring, the poles defining a dome-shaped frame with the ring when in the open position, each pole including a plurality of segments in end-to-end relationship; and hinge means between each adjacent pair of segments of each pole permitting movement of the segments between a folded position in which the poles define a generally barrel-shaped cage and the open position in which the outer surfaces of said top ring and hinge means are substantially continuous with the outer surface of said pole segments, whereby the frame is smooth and substantially free of projections.